Author Greenburg: Russians Won't Ease Anti-Gay Laws for Olympics

Don't expect any relaxation of Russia's recent anti-gay legislation at the Winter Olympics in Sochi this February, according to sports historian and author Josh Greenburg.

"The majority of people living in Russia go along with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, okay?" Greenburg told "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV.

"The people there, that's their choice. That's the way that they want to conduct their affairs over in that country …

"That being said, what are the Olympic ideals? [It's] always been excellence, friendship, and respect."

Story continues below video.

Earlier this year, Putin signed a bill banning the "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors."

Greenburg also says the upcoming games will be the most expensive ever produced, costing close to $50 billion.

"They've spent $300 million to put up an airport that can handle 4,000 people an hour. They have built 40 new, big hotels in this town of Sochi which, incidentally, it's not what you would think Russia is," he said.

"This is a beach town, a sea resort that happens to have mountains in the background where they get enough snow … Putin wants to make Sochi a destination location and this is going to be one of the key elements of his legacy is the success of this Olympics."